Envelope sealer



1927 4 Sheets-Sheet l J. H. BYERLEY ENVELOPE SEALER Filed Dec.

Sept. 5, 1933.

Jer-Ze j J. H. BYERLEY ENVELOPE SEALER Sept. 5, 1933.

Filed Dec. 22. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 JAB e clliorne ys Sept. 5, 1933. J. H, BYERLEY 1,925,653

ENVELOPE SEALER Filed'Dec. 22, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 5, 1933. J. H. BYERLEY 1,925,553

ENVELOPE SEALER Fil'ed Dec. 22, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 R &

Patented Sept. 5, 1933 unis STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 ENVELOPE SEALER. V Josiah H. Byerley, Los Angeles, Calif.-

Application December 22, 1927 Serial No. 241,833

9 Claims.

This invention relates to envelope sealers. An object of the invention is the provision of an envelope sealer capable of successively removing envelopes from a mazagine by their flaps, and placing the envelopes in a position where the gummed portion of the flaps may be acted upon by, the moistening element of my device.

Another object is the provision of an envelope sealer in which the moistening device is of such a nature that the entire gummed surface of the envelope flap may be thoroughly moistened.

Another object'is the provision of an envelope sealer adapted to successively handle envelopes by means of a plurality of oscillating arms,

each of which is operatively connected to a single drivingshaft.

Another object is the provision of an envelope sealer. not only capable of efficiently sealing envelopes which are unusually thick due to their bulky. contents, but which is alsocapable of rapidly handling envelopes of varying thicknesses, without adjustment.

Another object is the provision of an envelope sealer which'is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, which is simple in its construction and in the appended claims, reference is had to the accompanying'drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of theenevelope sealer of my invention, I I

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the envelope sealer With the handle removed, the direction of view being indicated by the arrow 2 of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view, the plane of section being indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 1. V

Fig. 4 is a transverse, sectional view similar to Figure 3, with the operative parts moved in a different position in the course of their moistening and sealing operations,

In terms of broad inclusion, the envelope sealer of my invention comprises a magazine adapted to so contain a plurality of envelopes awaiting sealing, that the flap of the innermost of said envelopes extends therefromin position to be grasped between a pair of gripper plates which are operatively connected to a driving shaft so as to enable them to remove the envelope so grasped and place it adjacent a moistening device. This moistening device is formed of a pair of pulleys, one of which is preferably mounted upon the driving shaft, and a belt carried by said pulleys, and having a reservoir pobeen applied, has been caused to curl so as to I present a slightly arcuate surface. This fact has led to the disqualification of many prior envelope sealing devices employing a flat disc or similar moistening element, because of the fact that'such a flat moistening'element can touch only a relatively small portion of the gummed surface of the flap, with the result that the envelope can not beperfectly sealed. This is the fact which has led to my invention of an improved moistening device wherein the curvature of the'belt in passing over the pulleys, is preferably substantially'the same as the curvature' of the flap at its gummed portion, with the result that when the flap engages the roller, the

entire gummed surface of the flap may be thoroughly moistened; Means are provided for pressing the flap into contact with the moistening belt for a predetermined periodof time, after which the envelope is conveyed to a set of sealing rollers which areadapted to exert the same amount of pressure upon envelopes of all thicknesses, within certain limits. This end is at tained by permitting the rollers to separate a certain distance when an envelope of such thickness as'to require such separation is inserted between the rollers. In the case of rollers wherein this separation is not possible, difliculty is encountered in inserting a relatively thick object therebetween; and the purpose of my novel.

manner of mounting the sealing rollers, is to obviate this difficulty.

In greater detail, the embodiment of my invention herein shown and described, comprises a housing having side walls 6 spaced apart and rigidly retained in position by bolts '7 at one end and a spacing bar 8 at the other end, hav ing'upturned flanges 9 through which screws 11' are threaded into the walls 6. An inwardly inclined envelope magazine 12 is positioned at the end of the housing above the spacing bar 8, and

inward from each side wall 6 to prevent the envelopes from falling from the magazine. The sides of the bar are vertical, however, to permit the flap 1'7 of the innermost envelope 1'7 to extend into the housing. A driving shaft 18 is rotatably mounted in journals 19 in each of the walls 6, to extend transversely of the housing, and a handle 21 provides convenient means for manually rotating the driving shaft. Preferably exteriorly of the housing and between the handle 21 and the side wall, is a plurality of cams 22, 23, 24, and 26, each of which is mounted upon the driving shaft 18 for rotation therewith.

The means for successively withdrawing the envelopes 13 from the magazine 12 comprise a lower gripper plate 2'7, the upper edge 28 of which is slightly curled to provide an edge engageable under the extended flap 1'7 of the innermost envelope 1'7, as shown in Figure 4. This lower gripper plate is pivotally mounted at a point slightly spaced from its lower edge, on a supporting arm 29, which in turn is pivotally carried by a shaft 31 journaled in the walls 6 and extending parallel to the driving shaft 18 so that when rotary movement is imparted to the shaft 31, such movement will be imparted to 1 i the supporting arm 29 as well; the bars 15 being 5 the other end, to one of another arm 38.

spaced sufficiently to permit the plate 27 to pass therebetween. Preferably extcriorly of the housing, a crank 32 is also mounted for rotary movement with the shaft 31, and a link 33 pivotally 9. connected at one end to the crank 32 and at the other end to a crank 34 mounted for rotation with the driving shaft 18, is adapted to impart oscillatory movement to the shaft 31 and supporting arm 29 so that the lower gripper plate 7 27 is oscillated through a predetermined arc and returned to initial position each time the driving shaft 18 is rotated. The guiding arm 36 consists of a link 3'7 pivoted at one end to the lower edge of the lower gripper plate 27 and at The other end of the arm 38 is mounted for rotary movement with a shaft 39 journaled inthe walls 6 parallel to the driving shaft 13, and to the outer end of which is secured an arm 41 adapted .to rotate the shaft 39 as a result of its engage-- ment through the roller 42 carried at its outer end and in engagement with theface of the cam 22. The cam 22 and the crank 34 areso shaped and positioned relative to each other, that for each revolution of the shaft 18 causing the periodic oscillation of the lower gripper plate as above described, the shaft 39 will be rotated through an arc sufficiently great'to cause the oscillation of the arm 38 to pull the lower edge of the lower gripper plate toward itself as porting arm 29 begins, causing the upper edge 28 of the lower gripper plate to move outwards against the envelopes 13 to insure engagement of the lower gripper plate below the flap 1'7 of the innermost envelope. A spring 43 under ten- 1 sion between the arm 38 and the adjacent wall 6, retains the roller 42 against the face of the cam 22.

The upper gripper comprises a plate 46 pivotally mounted at its lower edge on an arm l7 of such length that the upper gripper plate 46 is normally extended over the tops of the envelopes 13 within the magazine and the upper edge of the lower gripper plate. The arm 4'7 is carried by a shaft 18 journaled transversely of the walls 6 and parallel to the driving shaft 18, and to the outer end of the shaft 48 an arm l9 is secured for rotary movement therewith bearing upon its outer end a roller 51 urged into contact with the face of the cam 23 by a spring 52 under tension between the arm 49 and the adjacent wall 6. A spring 53 is interposed between the upper gripper plate 4.6 and its associated arm 17, to urge the upper gripper plate in the direction of the lower gripper plate so that the extended envelope flap 17' may be securely clamped therebetween. For the purpose of increasing the grip of the two gripper plates upon the flap 17, the under surface of the upper gripper plate 46 may be provided with a sheet of material 54 having a high coefficient of friction such as rubber or other convenient frictional agent. The cam 23 is so designed and positioned that lifting of the upper gripper arm 4'7 is delayed until after the lower gripper has started its upward movement, with the result that the upper gripper plate is swung in respect to its supporting arm 47. Thus the flap 17 will beengaged by the rounded portion of thelower gripper plate instead of its edge, which will be positively forced into the crease between the envelope, 1'7 and its flap 17' by the sliding movement of the lower gripper plate in respect to the upper gripper plate.

. A pair of brackets 56 and 5'7 upon the walls 6, provide means for pivotally supporting a pair of aligned platforms 58 and 59 respectively, so positioned as to receive the envelope 17 from the gripper plates at the end of their upward stroke; it being understood that the platforms 58 and 59 are separated a sufficient distance to permit the arms 4'7, 36, and 29, to pass unobstructed therebetw'een, and it being further understood that the cams associated with the two grippers are so designed that when thegrippers are at the upper end of their stroke, the lower gripper arms have nearly overtaken the upper gripper arm, with the result that the upper gripper plate is swung upon its pivotal mounting into a position of substantially in respect to its supporting arm 4'7, as clearly shown in Figure 3. The shaft 39 is then rotated by means of its associated cam, to actuate the lower gripper plate to swing downwards upon its supporting arm 29 between the platforms 58 and 59,' depositing the envelope thereupon. The two gripper plates then separate slightly, releasing their hold upon the flap l7 and being returned to their starting position. The lower edges 61 of the platforms 58 and 59 are slightly curved upwards to provide arcuate surfaces 62 about which the flap 17 ofthe thus deposited envelope is curved, so that the natural resiliency of the paper causes the flap 1'7 to spring outwards from the envelope.

A depressor 63 comprising a relatively wide plate 64, is carried at the ends of arms 66, the other ends of which are mounted for rotary movement with a shaft 6'7 journaled in the walls 6 parallel to the driving shaft 18. is mounted upon the outer end of the shaft 67 and positively connected thereto, and a roller 69 upon the outer end of the arm 68, is urged against the face of the cam 2% by a spring '71 An arm 68 under tension between an extension '72 of the D ated to press the platforms 58 and 59 downwards against the action of springs 73 and 74 under tension between extensions on the platforms 58 and 59 respectively, and their associated brackets. A pulley 76, preferably carried by the driving shaft 18 for rotation therewith, is positioned so that its lower portion is immersed in a liquid 7'7 contained within a ,reser-- voir 78 adjacent the pulley 76. An idler pulley '79 is rotatably mounted upon a shaft 81 journaled uponthe walls 6 parallel to the driving shaft 18, and a moistening belt 82 is carried by these two pulleys. Thus it is to be understood that as the driving shaft 18 is rotated, the moistening belt 82 is moved over the pulleys 76 and '79, being thoroughly moistened as it passes through the reservoir 78. The idler pulley 79 is positioned closely adjacent the lower edges of the platforms 58 and 59, so that the extended flap 17 of the envelope 17 positioned upon the platforms 58. and 59, is adapted to have its gummed'surface moistened by the moistening belt 82. A guide 86 comprises a plate 87 carried at one end of an arm 88, the other end of whichis mounted for rotation with a shaft 89 journaled upon the walls 6. Upon the outer end of theshaft 89 an arm 91 is rigidly carried, and a spring 92 under tension between the arm 91 and the adjacent wall 6, urges the roller 93 onto the surface of the cam 26 Whichis so designed that while the depressor 63 is momentarily clamping the envelope 83 betweenitself and the platforms 58 and 59, the lower edge of the guide plate 87 is moved downwards to press the extended flap 17' onto the moistening belt,.

as clearly shownin Figure 1. Observation of Figure 4 will reveal the fact that that portion of the flap 17 in engagement with the moistening belt, is slightly ar'cuate. The reason for this is that the gum which is applied to the under surface of the flaps, causes the lattertobe slightly warped so as to have a slightly concave surface. The idler pulley 79 is of such dimensions that it is adapted to fit nicely into this concave surface to insure the thorough moistening of the entire gummed surface of the flap 17.

.It will be observed that the depression in the surface of the cam'26 into which the roller 93 falls to cause lowering of the guide plate 87, is relatively narrow so that the engagement of the flap 17 upon the moistening belt, occurs for a relatively short period of time; the object being to avoid the liability of washing the gum from the flap.

' By the time this moistening operation has been concluded, the gripper plates will be on" their upward stroke, bringing the next envelope towards. the platform. A foot 96 is provided upon the lower gripper plate '27 and so positioned thereupon that in bringing up the next envelope, this foot engages the lower edge of the envelope 17 which has just had its flap moistened, and pushes it off the platform; it

being understood of course, that by the time the cam 24 has permitted the depressor 63 to release its engagement with the'envelope', the guide plate 87 is positioned in such angular relationship to the envelope at the time, that this motion of the envelope causes the flap to be bent back into closing position by the guide plate, which the associated cam 26, toward the sealing rollers indicated generally at 97. Preferably, these sealing. rollers comprise two pairs of revolubly mounted rollers 98 and 99, and 101 and 102. The lower rollers 98and'101 of each pair, are revolubly mounted upon shafts 103 and 104 respectively, journaled in the Walls 6, while the. upper rollers 99 and 102 are revolubly mounted upon shafts 106 and 107, each of which is journaledin a bracket 108 and 109 respectively, which are pivotally mounted upon a shaft 111 journaled within the walls 6. A spring 112 is interposed between the bracket 109 and adjacent Wall 6, to urge the roller 102 onto'the roller 101. A pin 113 is carried by the bracket 108 and adapted toengage the bracket 109 when the roller 99 has been lifted a short distance above the associated roller 98. The purpose of this novel method of mounting the sealing rollers, is to permit an envelope to be inserted between the first pair of rollers 98 and 99 without having to overcome any greater resistance than merely the. weight of the roller 99 and the bracket in which it is carried. However, when an envelope of an unusual thickness is inserted between the rollers 98 and 99, the pin 113 will engage the bracket 109 so that the spring 112 will cause the roller 99 to bear harder. upon the envelope being sealed, than would otherwise be the case.

is now swung upon the shaft 89 by means of From the described construction it is 'understood that the tension of the spring 112 is at all times urging the roller v102 into close contact with the roller 101, so that when the enve lope passes through the second pair of rollers,

sufficient pressure is exerted thereupon to cause positive sealing of the flap. Means for driving the rollers is provided, comprising a pulley 116 carried upon the driving shaft 18 and opera- 'tively connected bymeans of a belt 117. to a pulley 118 rigidly secured to the shaft 103 of the lower roller 98; and a second pulley 119 also carried upon the-shaft 103 is operatively connected by means of a belt 121 to a pulley 122'upon the shaft 104 of the lower roller 101. These rollers may be constructed of any con venient material, but I prefer to use wooden rollers covered with a sheet of rubber, so that a cushioning surface is provided.

It is thought that from the above description, the operation of my envelope sealer will be readily understood; but for the purpose of plainer elucidation, I will trace the path of an envelope asit is carried through the device. The innermost envelope 17 is grasped between the upper and lower gripper plates 46 and 2'7 respectively, as a result of the movement imparted to them by their respectlve cams as the driving shaft, 18 is rotated. Thesegrippers then carry the envelope pressor plate 64 moves the platforms and envelope downwards, it being understood that both grippers have proceeded sufficiently upon their return stroke to avoid interference with this action. The space between the platforms 58 and 59 is suificient for the passage of the grippers on their return stroke; and as the upper gripper returns, it is snapped back onto the envelopes in the magazine with sufiicient force to press the envelopes into alignment, in order to facilitate the grasping of the next envelope between the two gripper plates.

As the depressor moves the platforms and envelope downwards momentarily the guide 87 moves to press the flap of the envelope onto the moistening belt 82 as above described. The depressor is then withdrawn, permitting the envelope and platforms to return to elevated position; and by this time the grippers will be approaching the platforms again with the next envelope. The lower edge of the envelope, the flap of which has just been moistened, will be engaged within the foot 96 topush the envelope from the platforms 58 and 59; and the guide 87 will bend the flap under the envelope into closing and carry the upper end of the envelope toward the rollers 98 and 99, between which the envelope will be pushed by continued upward movement of the foot 96. The pressure exerted upon the envelope by the rollers'will cause the moisture flap to adhere to the body of the envelope, resulting in a positive seal, after which the sealed envelope will be discharged from the sealer. i

It will be understood that various changes in the details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim: I

1. In an envelope sealer a housing, an envelope magazine at one end of said housing, the inner wall of said magazine being relieved to permit the flap of the innermost envelope. to

extend from the magazine, a drive shaft revolubly mounted upon said housing, means for rotating said driving shaft, a plurality of cams mounted for rotation with said driving shaft, an upper gripper comprising an arm pivotally mounted within the housing and. operatively connected to one of said cams to effect the peri' odic oscillation of said arm through a predetermined arc and a gripper plate pivoted to the upper end of said arm, a facing on said plate having a high coeflicient of friction, a lower gripper comprising a plate, a supporting arm and a guiding arm, each of said arms being pivoted at one end to said housing for rotary movement about axes parallel to said driving shaft and at their free ends pivoted to said lower gripper plate, a crank carried by said driving shaft and operatively connected to said supporting arm whereby rotation of the driving shaft will cause periodic oscillation of said lower gripper plate, the guiding arm being operatively connected to another of said cams whereby pivotal movement of said lower gripper plate upon said supporting arm is effected during the oscillation thereof, said lower gripper plate being adapted to engage theextended flap of said innermost envelope between itself and said upper gripper plate and lift the envelope from the magazine, a spring interposed between the upper gripper plate and its associated arm to urge the upper gripper plate into engagement with said flap.

2; In an envelope sealer a housing, an envelope magazine carried by said housing, the inner wall of said magazine being relieved to permit the flap of the innermost envelope to extend from the magazine, a driving shaft revolublymounted upon said housing, means for rotating said driving shaft, a cam mounted for rotation with said driving shaft, an upper gripper comprising an arm pivotally mounted within thehousing and operatively connected to said cam to effect its periodic oscillation through a predetermined are and a gripper plate pivoted to the free end of said arm, a facing on said plate having a high coeflicient of friction, a lower grippercomprising a plate and a supporting arm, said supporting arm being pivoted at one end to said housing and at the other end to said lower gripper plate, a crank carried by said driving shaft and operatively connected to said supporting arm whereby rotationfof the driving shaft will cause periodic oscillation of said lower gripper plate, means for extending said lower gripper plate in respect to its supporting arm during the oscillation thereof, said gripper plates being adapted to successively withdraw envelopes from said magazine and transport them to a moistening means.

3. In an envelope sealer a housing, an en'- velope magazine carried by said housing, the inner wall of said magazine being relieved to permit the flap of the innermost envelope to'extend from the magazine, a driving shaft revoluply mounted upon said housing, meansfor' rotating said driving shaft, a cam mounted for rotation with said driving shaft, an upper gripper comprising an arm pivotally mounted within the housing and operatively connected to said cam to effect itsperiodic oscillation through a predetermined arc and a gripper plate pivoted to the free end of said arm, a lower gripper comprising a plate and a supporting arm, said supporting arm being pivoted at one end to said housing and at the other end to said lower gripper plate, a crank carried by said driving shaft and operatively connected to said supporting arm whereby rotation of the driving shaft will cause periodic oscillation of said lower gripper plate, means for extending said lower gripper plate in respect to its supporting arm during the oscillation thereof, said gripper plates being adapted to successively withdraw envelopes from' said magazine and transport them to a moistening means. I

4. In an envelope sealer a housing, an envelope magazine carried by said housing and adapted to permit the flap of one of the con tained envelopes to extend therefrom, a driving shaft revolubly mounted upon said housing, means for rotating said driving shaft, a cam mounted for rotation with said driving shaft, an upper gripper comprising an arm pivotally mounted Within the housing and operatively connected to said cam to effect its periodic oscillation through .a predetermined arc and a gripper plate pivoted to the free end of said arm,

a lower gripper comprising a supporting arm and a plate carried by saidarm, said arm being pivoted to said housing and operatively connected to said driving shaft whereby rotation of the driving shaft will cause periodic oscillation of said lower gripper, said grippers being adapted to successively withdraw envelopes from said magazine and transport them to a moistening means.

5. In an envelope sealer, a housing, an envelope magazine carried by said housing and adapted-"to permit the flap' of one of the contained envelopes to extend therefrom, a driving shaft revolubly mounted upon said housing, means for rotating said driving shaft, a cam mounted for rotation with said driving shaft, an upper gripper comprising an arm pivotally mounted within the housing and operatively connected to said cam to effect itsperiodic oscillation through a predetermined arc, and a gripper plate pivoted to the free end of said arm, and a lower gripper comprising a supporting arm and a plate carried thereby, said lower gripper arm being pivoted to said housing and operatively connected to said driving shaft whereby rotation of the driving shaft will cause periodic oscillation of said lower gripper, said grippers being adapted to successively withdraw envelopes from said magazine by their flaps.

6. In an envelope sealer, a housing, an envelope magazine carried by said housing and adapted to permit the flap of one of the contained envelopes to extend therefrom, a driving shaft revolubly mounted upon said housing,

means for rotating said driving shaft, a cam mounted for rotation with said driving shaft, an upper gripper comprising an arm pivotally mounted within the housing and operatively connected to said cam to effect its periodic oscillation through a predetermined are, and a gripper plate pivoted to the free end of said arm, and a lower gripper comprising a supporting arm and a'plate carried thereby, said lower gripper arm being pivoted to said housing and operatively connected to said driving shaft whereby rotation of the driving shaft will cause periodic oscillation of said lower gripper, and means for extending said lower gripper plate in respect to its supporting arm during oscillation thereof, said grippers being adapted to successively withdraw envelopes from said magazine by their flaps.

7. In an envelope sealer, a housing, an envelope magazine carried by said housing, the inner wall of said magazine being relieved to permit the flap of the innermost envelope to extend from the magazine, a driving shaft revolubly mounted upon said housing, means for rotating said driving shaft, a cam mounted for rotation with said driving shaft, an upper gripper comprising an arm pivotally mounted within the housing and operatively connected to said cam to effect its periodic oscillation through a predetermined arc, a gripper plate pivoted to the free end of said arm, and a facing on said plate having a high coefficient of friction, a lower gripper comprising a plate and a supporting arm, said supporting arm being pivoted at one end to said housing and at the other end to said lower gripper plate, a crank carried by said driving shaft and operativcly connected to said supporting arm whereby rotation of the driving shaft will cause periodic oscillation of said lower gripper plate, and means for extend ing said lower gripper plate in respect to its supporting arm during the oscillation thereof, said gripper plates being adapted to successively withdraw envelopes from said magazine by their flaps. 1

8. In an envelope sealing machine, a magazine adapted to hold envelopes with the flap of the innermost envelopes extending therefrom, and means for withdrawing envelopes successively from said magazine comprising a pair of pivot ally mounted arms, means on each of said arms for engaging the flap of the innermost envelope, means for pressing one of said engaging means against oneside of said flap, and means for pressing the other engaging means against the other side of said flap, and means operable subsequently to operation of said pressing means to swing both of said arms and lift said innermost envelope from said magazine.

9. In an envelope sealing machine, a magazine adapted to hold envelopes with the flap of the innermost envelopes extending therefrom, and means for withdrawing envelopes successively from said magazine comprising a pair of pivotally mounted arms, means on each of said arms for engaging the flap of the innermost envelope, means for pressing one of said engaging means against one side of said flap adjacent the body of said envelope, and means for pressing the other engaging means against the other side of said flap adjacent the body of said envelope, and means operable subsequently to operation of said pressing means to swing both of said arms and lift said innermost envelope from said magazine. I

J, H. BYERLEY. 

